Using a $175,000 research grant from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, Dr. Cullen is conducting a pilot study in six Houston elementary schools to determine if gentle, low- or no-cost “nudges” can positively influence student food choices in the lunch room. Specifically, students at these six schools are currently receiving the following prompts to select fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria:

Food service workers at participating schools are trained to encourage children to select the target foods.

Signage in English and Spanish is added to the lunch line so children know what the target foods are.

Teachers integrate messages about the target foods in their classrooms using, for example, writing prompts about them.

Information about the program overall and about the featured foods is communicated to parents in the school newsletter and sent home in children’s backpacks.

Dr. Cullen will determine in May whether children at these schools consumed a higher-than-average amount of fruits and vegetables — a likely result, in my opinion. She’ll be sharing her data in a report and I’ll post the information here when it’s available.

It’s all basic marketing. Gradually eliminate the unhealthy choices from the menu, and do this in a series of steps to eventualy eliminate them all. A child in a school lunch line is going to pick something to eat, regardless of the choices. At worst that child will pick what he/she considers to be the lesser of the “evils”. Carrots or broccoli – I choose carrots; Apples or grapes – I choose grapes.

If your comment does not appear here and you’re wondering why, it’s because the comment violates my stated policy requiring a civil tone and polite language. I welcome opposing political viewpoints here, but ad hominem attacks, obnoxious language, etc. are not welcome on The Spork Report. Thanks for understanding.

You know, 50 years ago, they didn’t care what I ate for lunch, but they taught me to read and write. They also taught math and history and many other things. MAybe the schools should get back to educating kids and quit worrying about lunch and the other silliness they fret over today.

I hope any parent of any student that attends the school and wasn’t advised and send a consent form to use their child as a Ginea pig sues for 100 times the amount of the Grant…EACH!!! Out children are not your research rats you Liberal Freaks!!!